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While FaceTiming Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Alexeyev made a fountains joke

By Ian Oland

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June 23, 2018 3:47 pm

With their 31st overall pick at the 2018 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals selected Russian defenseman Alexander Alexeyev.

Minutes later, Alexeyev received a FaceTime call from Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, and we quickly learned that this kid has jokes, much like fellow-countryman Evgeny Kuznetsov.

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Here’s how the conversation went.

Alex Ovechkin: “Alex, hello!”

Alexander Alexeyev: “Hello.”

Alex Ovechkin: “Well, congratulations!”

Alexander Alexeyev: “Thank you.”

Alex Ovechkin: “Why do you look so nervous?”

Alexander Alexeyev: “I’ve been sitting here for a minute and my knees are hurting.”

Alex Ovechkin: “Well you going to come to Washington and get on our program?”

Alexander Alexeyev: “Which program is that, in the fountains?”

Alex Ovechkin: “Well that too!”

Alex Ovechkin: “Well, I’ll see you.”

Alexander Alexeyev: “Thank you very much.”

That is a very good fountains joke. Alexeyev was referring to Ovechkin’s shirtless foray into the Georgetown Waterfront fountains and his continuing fountain celebration at the NHL Awards with Nicklas Backstrom.

Alexeyev later met with the media, where, after becoming comfortable, he began rifling off good jokes one after another.

What were your emotions when you heard your name called by the Capitals?

Alexander Alexeyev: “It’s just big weight came off my shoulders. Finally. I just started breathing heavy. I can’t explain what I feel right now. Just amazing feelings.”

How much does it matter to you that this team is known to have very good Russian players?

Alexander Alexeyev: “It means a lot. I just talked to Ovi and he was asking, yeah.”

What did he say?

Alexander Alexeyev: “He just say congrats and a couple nice words so. It was nice.”

Did you watch them play growing up?

Alexander Alexeyev: “Oh yeah, for sure, when I was growing up and as soon as I play hockey, I always watch them Orlov, Kuznetsov, and Ovechkin so it’s nice. Really nice.”

Which defenseman do you model your game after?

Alexander Alexeyev: “I would say something between Dmitry Orlov and Victor Hedman. Try to compare myself to them by watching their highlights and stuff.”

What was it like playing in Red Deer (WHL) and playing in a smaller sized rink?

Alexander Alexeyev: “It was actually really nice because I really like it. It’s more comfortable, the small rinks, for big guys I think. I’m good skater so it’s a lot easier. I had experience before so it wasn’t really like something new for me. So I just get used to it really quick.”

The scouting reports said you were calm and poised as a player.

Alexander Alexeyev: “Oh yeah. Yeah. Actually lots of teammates when I play in Russia they were saying my face like poker face. I just do crazy things with poker face. Yeah.”

[Laughing]

What were your interviews like with the Capitals?

Alexander Alexeyev: “Oh yeah. If I’m being honest, my first interview was at Rebels rink. I met their general manger and I was eating ice cream. He said, ‘It’s not good for you.’ ‘Okay, well you know better, I guess.’”

[Laughing]

Can you tell us more about your Facetime with Alex Ovechkin?

Alexander Alexeyev: “It was crazy. I was asking him about waterfalling so…”

[Laughing]

Did you see some of the celebrations?

Alexander Alexeyev: “Yeah. It was nice. I don’t know how he thinks right now, but I’m so happy.”

Were you confident you were going to be picked in the first round?

Alexander Alexeyev: “Yeah. I talked to lots of teams on the first day. When they pass I’m like ‘uhhh’ ‘hmmm’ ‘uhhh’ and I was thinking like probably not going to be 31st. When I heard Alex Alexeyev I was like finally, yeah. Amazing.

Did you meet with the Capitals?

Alexander Alexeyev: “I meeted with them at the combine.”

How do you think that went?

Alexander Alexeyev: “Really good. That’s why I’m wearing jersey I think.”

[Laughing]

What type of ice cream were you eating?

Alexander Alexeyev: “Vanilla ice cream with some stuff on it. Best ice cream in WHL. Seriously.”

This kid is going to fit in very well.

Headline photo: @Capitals

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